Mr. John Hennessy:

Senator Crown raised the issue of the numbers per head of population. I think we have numbers per head of population, which we will publish as well. It is probably worth noting that there are variables in regard to crude numbers in that issues of population age and deprivation indices have a significant factor on the numbers. I think we have the numbers here and we will be able to share them.

Ms Queally will comment on Senator Colm Burke's question on obesity and this major health issue. I see early intervention as an important priority for the future public health nursing service, to which we are moving.

Deputy Maloney acknowledged the value of the service and the fact it is probably taken somewhat for granted, with which I would not disagree. As to whether the role has changed, I would disagree with that point. The role has changed and the public health nursing service has taken a very robust role in the development of community intervention teams over the past five years. It has been hugely proactive in the immunisation programme and in moving towards a leadership role in that process. It is heavily involved in the clinical care programmes, which have been a significant success across the health service and which are achieving results. I agree with the Deputy on being taken for grant but not on the change.

Deputy Byrne acknowledged an issue, which relates to the core issue the institute raised in regard to spectrum of service, namely, pre-natal care through to old age and whether that should be separated out to sub-specialties. That is the key point being raised here, that is, whether we split the service or whether we devise suitable mechanisms within the service to specialise in important areas such as child health.

We have an oversight committee in place, addressing the transitioning of the child and family services from the HSE into the new agency. I would be keen to refer this question for consideration and further attention. We have new directorates commencing very shortly in areas such as primary care and health and wellness and this will be a key issue for those two directorates and an important factor in whether the programme of work for those directorates will be successful. I acknowledge the point and the reasons for it being raised but we need to tease out some of the implications of that and I would be happy to do that with the institute and the other stakeholders in the system.